Geological Maps - What They Are and  How to Use Them to Find Gold

Why is it necessary to know what Geological maps show you?

Topographical Maps show you where you are in relation to a locality, feature or road.  Basic topography is also included but in much less detail on Geologic Maps. 

Geological Map 1:250000 Cue

Geological Maps also show you where minerals such as gold have been found in the past.  

This helps you understand the geology where gold occurs in the area of the map.

Geological Maps A Brief Overview

Geological maps are special-purpose maps made to show geological features.

Rock units or geologic strata are shown by color or symbols to indicate where they are exposed at the surface.

Bedding planes and structural features such as faults, folds, foliations, and lineation are shown with strike and dip or trend and plunge symbols which give these features' three-dimensional orientations.

GEOLOGY is the science and study of the physical matter that constitutes the Earth.

The field of geology encompasses the study of the composition, structure, properties, and history of the planet's physical material, and the processes by which it is formed, moved, and changed.

Definition provided by Wikepedia - Definition

Sedimentary Rock Structures Cover Most of the Earths Surface

Sedimentary rock structures cover around 75% of the earths surface.

Factual geological maps in WA show what rocks and sediments are outcropping at the surface. Like the 1:250000 Map shown above

The sediments at the surface hide the bedrock structures and rocks below.

To understand the structure underneath the surface you need geological maps such as the 1:500000 Interpreted Bedrock Geology Maps. 

Then you can understand the geological structures and rock types underneath and this is crucial to know when you are prospecting for gold at the surface.

We have built a few pages to help you understand the different types  of Geological Maps, how to access free Geological maps and use them as gold maps to target gold. See the links below.

1:500000 Interpreted Bedrock Geology Map

Standard Colours and Symbols Used In Australia For Maps

Colours of rocks - Although there is a data standard for rock and strata based on type of rock and geological age of the rock, due to the complexity of mapping needs it is essential you refer to each Map Key or Legend to understand the type of rock and its geological age in the area you want to prospect.

Download the Standard Mapping Colours or Symbols Used from this site if you are interested in them.

Note that the site states the following;

"In the 1980s, Geoscience Australia's predecessor, the Bureau of Mineral Resources (BMR), published an Australian standard colour scheme for geological maps. However, the increasing complexity of geological maps published in recent years has meant that maintaining a single colour scheme for all geological maps is no longer practical. The BMR colour scheme may, however, be applied to some geological maps as a rough guide."

Ages of Rocks and Rock Types

Ages of Rocks and Rocks type are important when you are looking for gold and minerals in a locality. These are shown on the legends of Geological Maps. The rock types abbreviations are are show by the Geological Age first eg "A"  Archaen then details of the rock type abbreviated for example 

Aba "A" = Archaen, "ba"  = Metamorphosed mafic agglomerate  - Amphibolite.

Geological Maps - Symbols Legend

Cross Sections On Geological Maps

Further Reading on Geological Maps

Return to Gold Prospecting home Page from Geological Maps page

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